The ISS Turns 25... A Quarter-Century Of International Space Science!

This celebration will continue for a few weeks, but it is one for the books. An international cooperative venture -- including cooperation between scientists and astronauts whose countries are increasingly hostile to one another (i.e., Russia. . . and just about the entire Western World) -- is a reason to have hope, for the future of humanity.

If the science leads, there is little we as a global community cannot achieve. That is the central lesson of the ISS. This first module was Russian; the next was a NASA contribution. . . and in the decades since, Canada, the EU, Britain, India and others have provided immeasurable support, as well as. . . space science personnel / astronauts and staffers.

Space botany, human research, and bioprinting were among the recent -- and worldwide broadcast -- science endeavors demonstrated aboard this wonder of solar powered space engineering. Despite occasional hiccups, the station remains a vital laboratory in the sky, through a quarter century. Here is just a bit of the story, at NASA -- with video below:

. . .Growing plants in space is critical as astronauts prepare for longer missions farther away from Earth. Space agriculture may help feed crews and provide a cleaner breathing environment aboard spacecraft and space habitats. Crews will have to be self-sustainable relying less on cargo missions packed with food, fuel, and supplies from Earth.

NASA astronauts Loral O’Hara and Andreas Mogensen from ESA (European Space Agency) took turns servicing the Advanced Plant Habitat replacing environmental control components on the research device. NASA Flight Engineer Jasmin Moghbeli assisted the duo reconfiguring the botany facility that has grown a variety of vegetables in the Kibo laboratory module. . . .

O’Hara and Moghbeli then joined Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) for eye checks that are part of the CIPHER suite of 14 human research experiments. . . .

Microgravity gives researchers the chance to learn how humans, machines, and materials react to months-long stays. It jumpstarts medical research, proves material strength, and generates new markets for items that can only be made in orbit. . . .

This is a model, for those paying attention at home, and around the globe. Please emulate it. Onward.



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